Sky Italia report that Roma have moved quickly to secure the services of the defender. The Giallorossi are faced with their own defensive dilemma, as Barcelona plot a move for their highly rated centre half, 18-year-old Marqinhos who has enjoyed a remarkable maiden campaign in Italian football.

It is suggested that Roma have made early efforts to bring Alderweireld to the Stadio Olimpico, in a bid to avoid being left devoid of a natural centre half should Brazilian youngster Marquinhos move to the Nou Camp.

Such a move would come at the expense of the Premier League duo. Similarly to current Premier League defenders Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen, Alderweireld has grown from hopeful youngster to defensive stalwart in the Ajax backline, and has previously suggested he would be open to following his compatriots to English football.

"Ajax are a very nice club," Alderweireld said in December of last year. "It won't be hard to play here all my life - but if I had to choose it would have to be a nice club like Ajax again and there aren't many of them.

"But a club such as Arsenal or Tottenham. They are fantastic clubs and would be a step forward."

Ajax head coach Frank de Boer recently called for clarity on the future of Alderweireld and Chrsitian Eriksen, who has also been linked with a move to the Premier League. But with the contracts of both players set to expire in the summer of 2014, moves in the coming months look increasingly likely.